Sabrina Argotte, Amanda Bollman, Teresa Burkey, Kaitlyn Handel, and Anissa Pulcheon

There is merit to the exploration of an artist depicting themselves in their own work. The art becomes a sort of snapshot, a small glimpse into how the artist views themselves at a given point in their life. Historically, portraiture is teemed with hidden meanings through objects, making the viewer aware of the artist’s vision of themselves. In the contemporary, this symbolism transforms through an intersectional lens, as artists become able to explore their own identities through their work in abstract ways.

This spring, 1628 is excited to be showing 20 local and regional women artists in Upon Further Reflection: A Celebration of Women Artists and Introspection, opening a dialogue between the artists and viewers and calling for a dive into how women are presenting themselves in art. Featured in this show are artists Sabrina Argotte, Amanda Bollman, Teresa Burkey, Kaitlyn Handel, and Anissa Pulcheon.

Sabrina Argotte is a student studying Fine Arts at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati, focusing on cosmetics and photography. Her work embodies themes of beauty, femininity, and belonging within culture as a second-generation American, along with the complexity that these ideas entail. Sabrina is a photographer as well as an aspiring make-up artist who plans to overlap both cosmetics and fine arts into her practice. With influence from both cultures she belongs to, she incorporates inspiration and ideals of beauty and femininity from both societies. Her portraiture explores how an individual can feel isolated, confused, and inadequate when feeling othered as someone existing between spaces. She continues to make work that forces audiences to question why stereotypes and standards against women are placed.

Amanda Bollman is a parent/student at the School of the Arts at Northern Kentucky University. Their work typically has an outsider perspective informed by trauma, an attempt to soothe the wounded child within.

“My identity is confused. No clear direction growing up. My identity is informed by poverty and addiction of loved ones during the most formative years of my life. The impacts on my identity include rejecting the feminine side. Fearing men. Almost not allowing myself to pursue art. A blue-collar work ethic, not born talented, this is how I consistently land on the Dean’s List. Not only do I work hard for myself, but also to show my daughter how important it is to keep moving forward no matter how hard life punches.”

While earning her BFA, concentrating on photography, and acrylic painting, Teresa Burkey is also pursuing a minor in marketing at the University of Cincinnati. Her interests have been developing towards more editorial, street, fashion photography the more she works with the camera. She has found herself very excited about photographing people and creating stories. Decadent outfits are often used in her work. With her digital marketing certificate and marketing minor on the way, Teresa is continuing to innovate and work alongside other creatives in best showcasing the arts. Fruits is a series that focuses on the themes of youth sexualization, female body expectations, and the connection in history between women and the kitchen. These aspects are incorporated in the overarching idea of the male gaze, performing for men, and the camera. 

Kaitlyn Handel is an artist from Columbus, Ohio, currently attending the University of Cincinnati for her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Focusing in photography, she creates work that explores all layers of identity through bright colors and textures. It is her outlet to create a safe space to tell her story and to also be a voice for others to experiment and share their ways of self-expression. Open To Interpretation is a series that looks to understand all layers of identity through self-portraiture. How does one define themself when feeling lost within their own sense of oneself? Reflecting on her current mindset, she captures who she either wants to be or feels to be. The work is for a diary of self-discovery, it is a documentation of a journey back to the self. She creates a space and captures a moment of her own making. This series declares “I exist.”

Anissa Pulcheon is an artist, organizer, and musician in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through mural, illustration, songwriting, and painting, her work envisions cultivating a joyful ecosystem between ourselves and our communities. She is moved by expressing identity, optimism, our place in nature, and a better world. Half & Half in Bloom is an iteration of a self-portrait she has done many times, exploring her identity as a mixed-race artist. Through adolescence, the portrait expressed feelings of discontent and longing, but this newer version is self-assured. Elements of family heirlooms, religion, her service industry and art background, the national flower of Malaysia, and a clematis (a flower from her Ohio backyard) adorn the way she sees herself now.

 

Multiple pieces in this exhibition are for sale. If you are interested in seeing our most recently scanned exhibition Queen City Visual Narrative virtually, click here. If you are interested in purchasing any artwork from the show, please contact us at art@tamaras.wpenginepowered.com.”

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